Where indicated, the Watershed Watch Booth will be present at events. Please stop by to pick up informational materials and cool giveaways!
South Bay Green Gardens Workshops and Events to help you learn how to conserve water, prevent pollution and promote healthy soils for a beautiful and sustainable landscape!
City of Cupertino – Clean City, Green City Cleanup
Every Day in April
Looking for a reason to get out of the house?
Help us green our cities and keep waste off the streets. Sign up for our trash cleanup event!
The volunteer event will be held throughout the entire month of April, so volunteer at your convenience!
To volunteer, sign up at tiny.cc/cleancitygreencity
Free Online QWEL Certification
From 7:00pm until 9:00pm
Valley Water is offering FREE online Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) training for Bay Area professionals in April 2021!
QWEL is a highly rated certification course recognized by U.S. EPA WaterSense.
Who should attend: Landscape contractors and irrigation technicians, park and public agency maintenance staff, landscape architects and designers, and others interested in landscape water conservation.
What’s it about: The QWEL professional certification course provides education on water-saving sustainable landscaping principles, soils, plant water needs, irrigation system troubleshooting and audits, controller programming, and more.
QWEL is also recognized by U.S. EPA WaterSense. Learn more at https://www.qwel.net/.
Space is limited, and the classes are expected to fill fast. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and register today! Register: https://www.qwel.net/pub/class/233
QWEL (English) - Evenings
From 7:00pm until 9:00pm
The Bay Area Regional QWEL Training has moved online!
The QWEL training will be facilitated live over a Zoom webinar by one of our highly rated QWEL certified instructors, and is available to professionals conducting business or employed in any of the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma, Marin and Napa.
Like previous in-person classes the online version will cover all 10 sections of the QWEL reference manual. This includes topics on soil and sustainable design principles, plant water needs, irrigation system design and maintenance, and irrigation system programming and operation. Attendees are encouraged to download the manual for free here or purchase a paperback copy from Amazon here prior to the class.
In order to obtain QWEL certification, individuals must complete a virtual irrigation audit (covered in class) and pass the QWEL exam (offered the week of May 3rd.) Exams will be administered online, and students will be required to pay an exam fee (approximately $30). Those who earn their QWEL certification will be listed as a Certified Professional on the QWEL and U.S. EPA WaterSense websites.
*Additional details will be provided prior to the class after you register.
SCHEDULE DETAILS
The QWEL Online training will be offered in 2-hour EVENING sessions for two weeks Monday to Thursday beginning Monday, April 19th (see schedule details below). By registering for this class, you are committing to attend all eight of the 2-hour sessions. The QWEL exam will be offered the week of May 3rd. Note that registrants will receive a link to additional pre-recorded content which should be viewed prior to the start of the class.
PRESENTER: Lori Palmquist
Lori is an irrigation specialist who has worked in the landscape trade for 30 years. She is an irrigation designer, consultant, and educator, and a former irrigation contractor and water manager. She has designed, installed, assessed, repaired, upgraded, and managed hundreds of irrigation systems over the years, and brings a boatload of passion and irrigation geekery to all her professional endeavors.
Location: Online
When:
Monday, April 19th, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Monday, April 26th, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Thursday, April 29th, 2021 7:00 pm-9:00 pm - Location: Online
Registration Closes: 04/15/2021
Sponsored by: California Water Efficiency Partnership
For more information, contact:
Michael Walker
(916) 475-1203
Free Online QWEL Certification
From 8:00am until 10:00am
Valley Water is offering FREE online Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) training for Bay Area professionals in April 2021!
QWEL is a highly rated certification course recognized by U.S. EPA WaterSense.
Who should attend: Landscape contractors and irrigation technicians, park and public agency maintenance staff, landscape architects and designers, and others interested in landscape water conservation.
What’s it about: The QWEL professional certification course provides education on water-saving sustainable landscaping principles, soils, plant water needs, irrigation system troubleshooting and audits, controller programming, and more.
QWEL is also recognized by U.S. EPA WaterSense. Learn more at https://www.qwel.net/.
Space is limited, and the classes are expected to fill fast. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and register today! Register: https://www.qwel.net/pub/class/234
2021 Water Conservation Showcase - Connecting with Nature through Citizen Science
From 9:00am until 10:30am
This presentation is packed with ideas for how you can connect with nature through participatory scientific research while also maintaining your social distance. Benefits include time spent outdoors, learning new skills, and practicing with new technologies. Agencies also benefit through gathering data on resources, improving customer engagement, and promoting positive behavior.
Host: Deb Chilvers, Mark, Jolene Bertetto
Speakers: Alison Young, California Academy of Sciences; Reid Bogert, Surfrider; Suzanne Whelan, Marin Municipal Water District; Lisette Arellano, One Tam Community Science Organizer
QWEL (English) - Mornings
From 10:00am until 12:00 pm
The Bay Area Regional QWEL Training has moved online!
The QWEL training will be facilitated live over a Zoom webinar by one of our highly rated QWEL certified instructors, and is available to professionals conducting business or employed in any of the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma, Marin and Napa.
Like previous in-person classes the online version will cover all 10 sections of the QWEL reference manual. This includes topics on soil and sustainable design principles, plant water needs, irrigation system design and maintenance, and irrigation system programming and operation. Attendees are encouraged to download the manual for free here or purchase a paperback copy from Amazon here prior to the class.
In order to obtain QWEL certification, individuals must complete a virtual irrigation audit (covered in class) and pass the QWEL exam (offered the week of May 3rd). Exams will be administered online, and students will be required to pay an exam fee (approximately $30). Those who earn their QWEL certification will be listed as a Certified Professional on the QWEL and U.S. EPA WaterSense websites.
*Additional details will be provided prior to the class after you register.
SCHEDULE DETAILS
The QWEL Online training will be offered in 2-hour MORNING sessions for two weeks Tuesday to Friday beginning Tuesday, April 20th (see schedule details below). By registering for this class, you are committing to attend all eight of the 2-hour sessions. The QWEL exam will be offered the week of May 3rd. Note that registrants will receive a link to additional pre-recorded content which should be viewed prior to the start of the class.
PRESENTER: Lori Palmquist
Lori is an irrigation specialist who has worked in the landscape trade for 30 years. She is an irrigation designer, consultant, and educator, and a former irrigation contractor and water manager. She has designed, installed, assessed, repaired, upgraded, and managed hundreds of irrigation systems over the years, and brings a boatload of passion and irrigation geekery to all her professional endeavors.
Location: Online
When:
Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Friday, April 23rd, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Thursday, April 29th, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Friday, April 30th, 2021 8:00 am-10:00 am - Location: Online
Registration Closes: 04/16/2021
Sponsored by: California Water Efficiency Partnership
For more information, contact:
Michael Walker
(916) 475-1203
Lawn Busters DIY Workshop (2-Part Series) – Part 1
From 4:00pm until 5:00pm
Learn how to design your landscape and convert your own lawn. 1 hour each day, 2 days total. Day 1 covers trenching, soil cover and shrub selection/placement. Day 2 covers planting and mulching.
646 North King Road, San Jose, CA, 95133
Tour the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center
From 3:00pm until 4:00pm
The future of water today!
See the latest technology that gives water new life and provides our community with a new source of high-quality water for tomorrow and beyond.
Join Valley Water for the upcoming virtual tour. Register today for this entertaining and informational activity: https://www.purewater4u.org/advanced-water.../take-a-tour/
Capacity is limited.
Valley Water offers free tours of Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center to the public to learn about the advanced treatment processes and the role of recycled and purified water as a future sustainable water supply. The award-winning facility uses advanced technologies to purify secondary treated wastewater and provides clean high-quality water through processes like microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light. The result is 8 million gallons a day of highly purified water that is expected to match California drinking water quality standards.
Lawn Busters DIY Workshop (2-Part Series) – Part 2
From 4:00pm until 5:00pm
Learn how to design your landscape and convert your own lawn. Day 2 of our 2-part series covers planting and mulching.
646 North King Road, San Jose, CA, 95133
Restore our Earth, One Native Plant At A Time
From 7:00pm until 8:00pm
Restore our Earth, One Native Plant At A Time
Instructor: Juanita Salisbury
This Earth Day, do your part to help restore our natural world, starting with your own yard! Learn about the benefits of planting California natives and how to plant and care for them so you can create your own beautiful, low water use garden. This year’s Earth Day 2021 theme is “Restore Our Earth.”
Zoom link will be emailed day of event.
Wed Apr 21, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Wed Apr 21, 3:30 pm
Edible Water-Wise Gardening for Beginners
From 7:00pm until 8:30pm
Instructor: Suzanne Bontempo
Participants will discover how to reduce water needs for seasonal vegetable gardening and what to plant in the spring to maximize the harvest season. This class will also cover how to incorporate organic maintenance techniques, including how to use compost and cover crops.
Wed Apr 21, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Wed Apr 21, 3:30 pm
Restore Our Earth - Earth Day 2021
Find Earth Day events and learn how you can take actions any day to make our home a better place.
Compost Basics
From 10:00am until 12:00 pm
Learn the basics and benefits of backyard composting. Register here to attend any workshop and follow the instructions provided to you via email after registering to participate.
Note: Tentative workshops are scheduled for in person but may be accommodated on-line if circumstances change.
The Secrets to Successful Succulent Landscaping
From 10:00am until 11:30am
Instructor: Janice Moody
Propagation from leaves and cuttings, Pre-planting Considerations, Designing with Succulents, Care and Maintenance. This class will give you hands-on skills in preparing your own cuttings and planting them, along with many sustainable growing and design tips.
Sat Apr 24, 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Fri Apr 23, 3:30 pm
Compost Basics
From 10:00am until 12:00pm
Learn the basics and benefits of backyard composting. Register here to attend any workshop and follow the instructions provided to you via email after registering to participate.
Note: Tentative workshops are scheduled for in person but may be accommodated on-line if circumstances change.
CA Native Plant Propagation
From 1:00pm until 4:00pm
CA Native Plant Propagation
Saturday, April 24, 2021
1:00 PM 4:00 PM
Celebrate Earth Month by learning how to propagate several species of California native shrubs! Our City Forest will be hosting a small group of participants at our Community Nursery and Training Center to learn about plant propagation. We will be covering what propagation is, the best species to propagate, and the steps to do it yourself!
1000 Spring St, San Jose, CA 95110
San Jose Garden Club
From 10:00am until 4:00pm
San Jose Garden Club (map)
Saturday, April 30th, 10:00a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, May 1st, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wonderful selection of flowers, vegetables and succulents all grown and donated by club members. Wonderful whimsical garden art planted with succulents! All at very reasonable prices! All proceeds go to non-profit organizations such as Veggielution, La Mesa Verde Garden Project, Our City Forest, and Loaves and Fishes Kitchen Garden. The San Jose Garden Club is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, whose mission is to educate its members and local community in promoting gardening, landscape design, and personal food production with a focus on conservation and civic beautification.
Credit Cards and Venmo accepted. Covid-19 procedures will be followed!
San Jose Garden Club
From 8:00am until 2:30pm
San Jose Garden Club (map)
Saturday, April 30th, 10:00a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, May 1st, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wonderful selection of flowers, vegetables and succulents all grown and donated by club members. Wonderful whimsical garden art planted with succulents! All at very reasonable prices! All proceeds go to non-profit organizations such as Veggielution, La Mesa Verde Garden Project, Our City Forest, and Loaves and Fishes Kitchen Garden. The San Jose Garden Club is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, whose mission is to educate its members and local community in promoting gardening, landscape design, and personal food production with a focus on conservation and civic beautification.
Credit Cards and Venmo accepted. Covid-19 procedures will be followed!
Vermicomposting
From 10:00am until 12:00pm
Learn the basics and benefits of composting with worms. Register here to attend any workshop and follow the instructions provided to you via email after registering to participate.
Note: Tentative workshops are scheduled for in person but may be accommodated on-line if circumstances change.
Herb Garden 101
From 7:00pm until 8:30pm
Instructor: Loretta O'Brien
Do you enjoy using fresh herbs when you cook? If so, then you probably know how expensive they can be. In this class you will learn how to create your own water-wise herb garden. We will cover what plants to choose, how to plant herbs, whether to start from seed or buy a starter plant, and how to harvest your herbs.
Tue May 11, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Open to the Public
Registration
Closes Tue May 11, 3:30 pm
Gardening with Succulents
From 7:00pm until 8:30pm
Instructor: Jennifer Ahlstrand
Attendees will learn how to design a visually successful succulent garden that requires low maintenance and little water. Course will also cover how to care for, irrigate, and propagate succulents.
Wed May 12, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Open to the Public
Registration
Closes Wed May 12, 3:30 pm
Water-wise Edible Gardening
From 10:00am until 11:30am
Instructor: Loretta O'Brien
Participants will discover how to reduce water needs for seasonal vegetable gardening and what to plant in the spring to maximize the harvest season. This class will also cover how to incorporate organic maintenance techniques, including how to use compost and cover crops.
Sat May 15, 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Fri May 14, 3:30 pm
Pervious Pavement
From 7:00pm until 8:30pm
Instructor: Ryan Marlinghaus
Pervious pavement is ideal for parking areas, sidewalks, patios, tennis courts, roads and driveways. It is also a unique and effective means to address important environmental issues and support green, sustainable growth. By capturing stormwater and allowing it to seep into the ground, pervious pavement is instrumental in reducing ponding, recharging groundwater, and preventing stormwater pollution.
In this 90-minute webinar, we will discuss:
- The various types of pervious pavement available for both residential and commercial installation;
- What you need to know before considering pervious pavement on your property;
- How to maintain pervious pavement once it’s installed; and
- The City of Palo Alto Pervious Pavement rebate incentives and specifications.
A one-hour presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A session.
Zoom link will sent the day of the event.
Tue May 18, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Tue May 18, 3:30 pm
Design It Yourself - Native Plant Landscape
From 7:00pm until 8:30pm
Instructor: Juanita Salisbury
Explore a new and approachable way to develop designs for beautiful, productive, habitat rich, and maintainable native plant landscapes. Learn the steps and principles of creating a native plant landscape design.
Wed May 19, 7:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Wed May 19, 3:30 pm
Prepare to Irrigate Efficiently This Summer
From 10:00am until 11:30am
Instructor: Frank Niccoli
Spruce-up your sprinkler system! Learn tips and tricks for maintaining a working, water-efficient irrigation system this upcoming summer. A little maintenance goes a long way! This event is in coordination with the EPA WaterSense Sprinkler Spruce-Up Campaign.
Zoom link will be sent before the event.
Sat May 22, 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Fri May 21, 3:30 pm
Family Workshop: How to Grow Your Own Salad
From 10:00am until 11:30am
Instructor: Suzanne Bontempo
Need a social distance hobby? Join us by learning how to grow your own salad ingredients from scratch. This workshop will teach you techniques to conserve water in your garden by growing season edible plants that you can harvest. This program is intended for the whole family, suggested ages 6 and older
Irrigation Equipment Upgrades and Leak Detection
From 7:00pm until 8:30pm
Instructor: Frank Niccoli
Learn how maintenance of water-conserving landscapes differs from that of traditional landscapes. Discover how to identify irrigation system inefficiencies and repair minor leaks.
Zoom link will be emailed before the event.
Mon Jun 7, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Open to the Public
Registration Closes Mon Jun 7, 3:30 pm
